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Profile

A professor of political science, Dr. Jo-Renee Formicola's specific field of study is Church-State relations.

Dr. Formicola's specific field of expertise is Church-State relations. During her tenure at Seton Hall University, she has published extensively on social and religious topics related to the relationship between the Catholic Church and the American government.
Dr. Formicola is the author of four books: The Catholic Church and Human Rights (1988); John Paul II: Prophetic Politician (2002); The Politics of Values (2008) and Clerical Sexual Abuse: How it Changed U.S. Catholic Church-State Relations (2014). She is the co-author of The Politics of School Choice (1999) and Faith Based Initiatives and the Bush Administration (2003) and also the co-editor and chapter contributor to three other volumes: Everson Revisited (1997); Religious Leaders and Faith Based Politics (2001); and Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously (2005).

Education

Ph.D., Drew University

M. A., Georgetown University

B.S., Le Moyne College

Academic Distinctions

Dr. Formicola has served as the Acting Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Chair of the Department of Political Science. She was also elected President of the N. J. Political Science Association and the North East Political Science Association. She was named Political Scientist of the Year in the State of New Jersey, and received the University Trustee's Service Award as well. In 2008, she was awarded the Ignatian Award for Professional Achievement by the Le Moyne College Alumnae Board. She has served as a member of the Le Moyne College Board of Regents and currently serves on the advisory board of Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Dr. Formicola also serves on the advisory board of the Journal of Politics and Religion.